KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 – All Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers staged a walkabout of the Dewan Rakyat approximately an hour into Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech when winding-up the debate on the 2009 Budget this evening.

Speaking to reporters outside the House while Najib continued with his speech on the federal government’s economic stimulation package, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they protested against Najib’s “arrogant manner” in prohibiting them from speaking up during his speech.

Anwar added that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, had even asked Najib if he would give way for the Opposition leader to rebut his announcements and Najib had stated “no.”

“If that is the case, what is the benefit for us to remain inside?” queried Anwar.

The top leaders from the PR coalition further accused Najib, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, of being “dishonest”.